Beata and I had an awesome time. I told her about what had happened, and just talking it out with her made me feel even better. Although we never saw eye-to-eye on our choices in men, even she had to admit that last night was pretty damn intense. She bought me a mai-tai to congratulate me. Her boyfriend's brother had tagged along, so I was nice for Beata's sake when we all danced to the sounds of a local hip-hop band. I called Scott partway through the day.
"I hear you're feeling better, but what the hell is that you're listening to out there?"
"A local rap band."
"Good Lord, you're out there a few days and already the city's corrupting you! Am I going to have to send the Tremonti's out to hunt you down?"
I laughed. "Sweetie, I was corrupted long before I met you." More than you know.
"Well just behave."
Too late for that, my dear.
"Same goes for you."
Again, too late. Beata nudged me, so I wrapped up the conversation, letting him know I would probably be 'out late', but that I would give him a ring in the morning before I catch my flight. I did well at sounding eager as I spoke to him, belying my disappointment that I had just one more night with David.
************************
"Are you sure you're not going to change your mind?" Beata said, pressing herself close to her new man. "Bill's brother really has a thing for you."
"I'm sure he does." I smirked. "No offense to your bro, Bill, but I'm not really interested in his thing." Bill shrugged. I squinted up at the boat as we approached the pier. "Besides, I'm in enough trouble as it is."
David stood at the port side of the boat, staring down at us. Even though he was dressed simply in blue jeans and a white t-shirt, he still looked just as delicious as he did in leather. I bit my lip as I smiled up at him. Beata poked me in the side and hissed in my ear.
"I still don't know what you ever saw in this guy."
"If you have to ask, I can't explain it."
"And that Stapp too!" She made a face. "Now if you hooked up with Tremonti..."
"Beata, give it up! You know we haven't seen eye to eye on our choices in men since Apolo skated on the scene."
"Who's Apolo?" Asked Bill. Beata and I laughed.
"Just a momentary distraction." She patted his arm, then gave me quick hug. "I'll talk to you later."
I nodded and smiled as they walked away, then turned back to David. He held his hand down to steady me as I climbed on board. He pulled me into his arms and I planted a kiss on his lips.
"Get a room!" I heard shouted from behind me. I didn't even turn around.
"Shut up, Beats!" Laughter ensued.
"Just like old times?" He smiled.
"Nothing ever changes around here. She's still trying to convince me that you're bad for me."
He reached down and squeezed my ass.
"But she's right...I am bad for you."
"Yes, but in a very good way."
He kissed me again, parting my lips with his and exploring my mouth with his tongue. Squeezing my ass again, he pressed me closer to him, and I sighed, letting my body melt into his. We were both a little breathless when he finally pulled away to gaze deep into my eyes. I reached up one finger to trace from his lips to his chin, passing between his piercings.
“Have I told you how sexy these look on you?” He shook his head, the hoops swayed back and forth. "Oh yes, much better than the spikes. Those hurt!"
"Mmm, but a little pain is good."
"David, those drew blood on me, remember?"
He grinned wickedly as I involuntarily rubbed my fingers over the scar on my collarbone. I had to admit that was an interesting memory, and it seemed we were both reliving it for the moment.
"Ummm...what say we get out of this marina?"
He reluctantly agreed and let me go.
"Where is there a fridge I can put these in?" I held up the paper bag.
"Through there." He pointed. "What did you get?"
"Cannoli."
"My favorite!"
"And not just any cannoli...Maggiano's!"
He licked his lips. "I can't wait for dessert."
"And I can't wait for dinner."
He just smiled as he settled in behind the steering wheel.
"There's a surprise in there for you too." He called. I had already discovered the two bottles of Segura Viudas champagne. He remembered my favorite. I opened one and poured out two glasses, bringing them up with me and climbed in beside him as he directed the boat out into Lake Michigan. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as I handed him a glass, and settled back, just enjoying the breeze, a welcome relief to the humidity I'd experienced all day. Everything felt so right, like nothing had changed, like I had never left.